‘MJ’ star mirrors more than King of Pop’s music

Michael Firestone is a Michael Jackson impersonator with an almost eerie amount of parallels to the King of Pop.

Same first name, general appearance, small-town roots, philosophies on animals, music and dance and more. Firestone puts a spotlight on their similarities at 5 p.m. daily in his show "MJ Live: a Michael Jackson Tribute" in the Crown Theater at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road. The all-ages show is slated to run through Sept. 2.

"I'm not trying to replace or be Michael Jackson," he said. "I'm trying to give you MJ."

But the men shared a special take on their private lives as devoted family men.

Firestone, 33, is a father of two daughters, Taylor, 12, and Haley, 6, with another due this fall with his fiancee, Chrissy Holbrook.

"Family comes first with Mikey," she said.

The family has a host of pets, including snakes, a gecko, an exotic cat and two dogs, including a recently adopted German shepherd puppy.

The brood resides in Centennial Hills and conducts a regular daily life, Firestone said, alongside his devotion to Michael Jackson and Firestone's Rio show.

"I embarrass my daughters when I do vocal warm-ups at Target," the North Carolina native said.

Michael Jackson memorabilia is displayed throughout the Firestone home : a refrigerator magnet, a commemorative poster and original paintings by Firestone, a self-described sculptor and painter.

Firestone's finesse with a brush has been tested through the years as he perfected his Michael Jackson makeup regime. Firestone began impersonating the entertainer 15 years ago and prefers to highlight Jackson's style and music from 1983- 87.

He played gigs in Las Vegas and abroad before and was given makeup tips from drag queens he worked with.

He mastered Jackson's stage persona by studying his performance videos and those of the superstar's inspirations.

But it was Michael Jackson , Firestone said, who helped the impersonator ace the signature toe-point move from the "Billie Jean" video.

Jackson and Firestone met in 2002, and Firestone said the pair had an additional seven-hour rap session online shortly after.

The first encounter was when Firestone and his ex-wife happened to be in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace when Jackson was shopping near FAO Schwarz, Firestone said. The event was months after Firestone came in second in a fan-generated music competition Jackson conducted, he added.

Despite the frenzy of a mob of fans surrounding Jackson, the couple - with their young daughter in tow - angled their way to the pop star, Firestone said. Firestone's ex-wife caught Jackson's attention, and his security guards escorted him to Jackson. The pair chatted for a few minutes, and then Firestone made a bold decision, he said.

"I slapped him on the shoulder and said, 'I'll talk to you later, man,'  and walked away," Firestone said. "He had this surprised look on his face. I don't think he stops and talks to people and has them end the conversation first."

Firestone said his ex-wife handed Jackson a CD of his demo reel, AOL screen names and other contact information.

Firestone said that a few weeks later, Jackson reached out to him on AOL chat.

"I thought it was a joke, but then he said, 'You got style,' which is the first lyric on the CD (we gave him)," Firestone said.

Firestone said he and Jackson talked online and on the phone for seven hours. They spoke about animals and music, and Jackson critiqued the way Firestone danced in "Billie Jean," Firestone said.

"He got bored fast," Firestone said. "(But) I talked to him more that night than I have with anyone in my life. I got to see him as a human."

Firestone performed in several impersonation shows on the Strip and was a Michael Jackson "dealertainer" at the Imperial Palace. He wasn't working June 25, 2009, the day Jackson died.

"My mom called, and I knew in her voice something was wrong," he said.

Firestone said he declined international offers to impersonate Jackson in the weeks following his death. He even gave up performing for a while and worked as a U.S. Postal Service carrier and welder for a spell.

But the love of music and reaching out to Jackson fans drew him back.

"I love Michael Jackson, and he was a big influence on me in my life," he said. "I'm still sad over his death."

Those loves, and his perseverance, is what Firestone hopes to pass on to his daughters.

The girls already enjoy the spotlight, he said.

"My daughters want to be entertainers and want to come to all of my shows," he said.

Firestone said it takes about 90 minutes to apply his wigs and makeup for the Rio show. But his schedule also allows for family time during the day and meals around the kitchen table.

"We're homebodies for the most part," said Holbrook, a former back-up dancer to Firestone. When the group ventures out, she said, they go all out.

"We go to Disneyland at least twice a year," she said. "We love Mickey and Minnie."

The nursery for the newest addition, a girl, is slated to be decorated in a Minnie Mouse theme, she said.

Holbrook said Firestone's fans would be surprised to know he's still the funny character off-stage as he is on.

"He's the same Mikey at home," she said.

Although a daily show is a grind, he said, his family and audiences propel him.

"It's a challenge, but I love what I'm doing," he said. "When I get out there, adrenaline takes over. I hope I'm making Michael proud."

Admission is $19.72 for general seating and $46.99 for the Golden Circle tier. Children younger than 12 are free with a paid adult.

For more information, call 733-8229.

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.